Харольд Бишоп: «Жастар» операсының ұзақ жылдар бойғы кейіпкері

Fictional character in the Australian soap opera Neighbours

Harold Wayne Bishop is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Ian Smith. The character was loosely based on the UK’s Jon, and to a lesser extent his younger brother, Jim White. Smith was offered the role by the show's creator and executive producer Reg Watson. Smith made his first screen appearance as Harold during the episode broadcast on 30 January 1987. He departed in September 1991, but returned five years later in October 1996. Harold remained on screen for over twelve years, making him one of the longest running characters in the show's history. Smith announced his departure from Neighbours in August 2008. Following a cancer storyline, Harold made his final appearance on 27 February 2009. In December 2010, Smith revealed that he would be reprising his role and Harold returned on 9 May 2011. During his brief return stint, Harold married Carolyn Johnstone (Paula Duncan), a storyline that was suggested by Smith. The character of Harold has been well received by critics and Smith earned various award nominations for his performance, including the Most Popular Personality on Australian Television Logie Award. Harold returned again in February 2015, ahead of the show's 30th anniversary. Smith reprised his role for the show's finale and began filming in February 2022. Harold returned to the role for a guest arc as part of the series' continuation, via Amazon Freevee. On 18 September 2023, Harold returned in episode 8904, and departed again on 10 October 2023. He is due to return to the show on a permanent basis on 28 May 2024.

The show's creator and then executive producer Reg Watson offered Ian Smith the role of Harold, following the end of his television drama Prisoner, with which Smith had been a script editor and associate producer. After agreeing to the role, Smith also asked if he could write for the show too. Smith admitted that he was not prepared for how popular the show would become, saying "I naively thought I was signing on for a frothy little soap that would come and go as most of them do. I had no inkling of the international success that lay in store for Neighbours." Comedian Peter Moon revealed in 2009 that he had originally auditioned for the role of Harold. Moon said "Ian Smith beat me to it, so it is kind of weird thinking about the life I could have had. When I auditioned, I went into wardrobe and they gave me a pair of shoes to wear that had Harold written on them". Harold is a Christian and never misses church on Sunday, he was also once an "enthusiastic" Scout leader. Harold's hobbies include playing the tuba, giving his time to the Salvation Army and birdwatching. Smith hated playing the tuba and wished the producers would have given Harold a mouth organ instead. He said "I think they thought, 'Here's a big fat actor, let's give him a big fat instrument. That'll be funny!'." In 2003, Harold had a stroke and his personality changed. He left the Salvation Army, became a "peeping tom", started drinking alcohol and he pinched Izzy Hoyland's (Natalie Bassingthwaighte) bottom. Network Ten dubbed Harold the "undisputed patriarch of Erinsborough" and the heart and soul of the community.

Lou Carpenter (Tom Oliver) was initially Harold's "nemesis" and rival for Madge's affections. Lou arrives in Ramsay Street to steal Madge from Harold before she marries him, but he cannot stop the wedding and he leaves. They said their most bromantic moment was "When Harold returned to Erinsborough, after being feared drowned for many years, he had no memory of his old life. But when Lou served him jelly one night Harold suddenly remembered how Lou used to tease him at school by calling him "Jelly Belly" and, presto, his memory was restored." Harold later donates a kidney to Lou and they go into business together, founding the General Store. Harold and Gino get along very well and share a love of Broadway musical DVDs. Smith later explained that he was offered a new contract with a significant cut in salary, but he was not prepared to accept it. When he returned from a short holiday, he learned that Harold would be washed off a rock and presumed dead. He was initially asked to reprise the role for a three month guest appearance. When the character's return proved popular with viewers, Smith was invited to re join the regular cast along with Charleston. Smith decided to go part time on the show in 2007. He had been ready to depart Neighbours for good, but the producers did not want him to leave. They then offered him a compromise, which would see Smith film for six weeks and then have a four month break. Smith said that he was "awfully glad" that the producers talked him into coming back and explained, "I'm not retiring, but I am walking away from having to work 13 hour days, day after day." Paula Lucarelli of Network Ten said "When the discussions were made about his decision to go part time last year, he said it was only going to be for a short time and then he would let us know. Production was aware that it would be coming." Due to Harold's Christian beliefs and the loss of Madge to cancer, he believed that the diagnosis was "fate trying to reunite them" and he refused treatment. While cheering up Donna Freedman (Margot Robbie) at the General Store, Harold had a heart attack, which left him fighting for his life. His friends and neighbours held a 24 hour vigil at the hospital hoping he would pull through. Harold forgave Karl for saving him, but made it clear that he no longer wanted to live. Smith's final scenes as Harold were broadcast on 27 February 2009 in Australia. During an interview with Digital Spy, executive producer Susan Bower said she regretted choosing not to kill Harold during the cancer storyline due to the attention his impending exit had garnered, but she remained pleased that the character was still alive. She added "we've got a lovely photograph of him in the store and we named the store after Harold, at least means that his spirit will always live on."

In December 2010, cast member Ryan Moloney revealed to TV Week that Smith would be returning to Neighbours in 2011. Moloney said Smith would appear "for a little bit" and it was later reported by the Herald Sun that Smith would return for six weeks. Smith began filming his comeback scenes in February 2011. Smith later revealed that he was returning to work because he had suffered during the recession and wanted to earn some money. He also said that the chance to play Harold again was "appealing" and that he did not get a chance to say a proper goodbye to him. His return storyline saw him come back to Ramsay Street to help a friend. Smith said that viewers will think they know who it is, but they would be wrong. Smith said "And of course there's human pathos, there's laughs – lots of laughs – [and] a little bit of romance, but I'm not saying who for, because I don't think she/he would like me to let it out. Look, there's a little bit of everything, but the thing is it's all a happy ending and it couldn't be better, and I loved it." Smith told Sarah from Inside Soap that when the producers asked him if there was a particular storyline he would like to play, he suggested that Harold should get married and so he returns engaged. Harold's news was not well received by his best friend Lou. Smith initially had some doubts about returning to Neighbours again, as he was unsure if he remembered what to do. Smith also said he was sceptical about the storyline with Madge, believing that it would be "one of those American arising from the dead" plots, but after it was explained to him, he thought it had been "cleverly handled" and revealed that it had been dreamt up by Jackie Woodburne (Susan Kennedy). Harold was reunited with his old friends, Toadie and Lou. When Toadie notices that Harold is quick to change the subject whenever Carolyn is brought up and that he is carrying around a picture of Madge in his wallet, Toadie suspects Harold is hiding something. After calling Carolyn, Toadie learns that she and Harold have broken up. Harold admits that he and Carolyn were not quite the soul mates he has thought they were. A week later, Smith's co star Alan Fletcher confirmed Harold's return, as he spoke about show's final episodes on This Morning. On 7 May, Smith spoke about reprising his role for the final episodes airing later that year, saying: "It's an absolute pleasure to be back. I'm the biggest sook under the sun. I'm going to be shocking on the last night that Neighbours airs. It really will be an end of an era and I am so proud to have been a part of it." Harold returned on 18 July in Australia and on 6 July in the UK. He makes a "surprise arrival" in Erinsborough, where he befriends Zara Selwyn (Freya Van Dyke) who shares his concerns about her mother Amy Greenwood (Jacinta Stapleton), and Toadie and Melanie Pearson's (Lucinda Cowden) engagement. Harold also helps counsel a grieving Mackenzie Hargreaves (Georgie Stone) by opening up about his own experiences with grief. In February 2023, Variety announced Smith's return to the series in a guest capacity.

On 8 April 2024, it was announced that Smith would return to the series on a permanent basis. Joe Anderton of Digital Spy expressed surprise at the announcement, as Smith had stated his desire to retire the previous year. On screen, Harold returns to Erinsborough to live at the Eirini Rising retirement complex.

Madge's daughter, Charlene (Kylie Minogue), calls Harold and invites him to Erinsborough to see Madge. Harold surprises Madge when he arrives on her doorstep and he is keen to rekindle their romance. Harold decides to settle in the area and he opens a health food shop and moves in with Nell Mangel (Vivean Gray), who secretly admires Harold, as he is a churchgoer like she is. Harold proposes to Madge, but he calls off the wedding when Charlene wants to move in with Scott Robinson (Jason Donovan) out of wedlock, and Madge throws her ring in Lassiter's Lake. Harold takes over the Coffee Shop when Daphne Clarke (Elaine Smith) goes on maternity leave. Daphne dies and Harold stays on as permanent manager; he also writes for the Erinsborough News. Eileen Clarke (Myra De Groot) spreads rumours that Harold is a lady killer and when Harold discovers that people are talking about him, he tries to leave town. Charlene tells Harold that she has not finished working on his brakes, but he does not listen and crashes his car. Harold breaks both arms and Madge realises that she loves Harold and they resume their engagement. Lou Carpenter arrives in town and declares his love for Madge, Harold punches him during a fight. Madge chooses Harold and they marry. Harold saves Des Clarke's (Paul Keane) life and Des offers him a partnership in the Coffee Shop. Harold and Madge later buy Des out. Kerry shows up and Harold is shocked to find out that she had had a child out of wedlock, but he is delighted to be a grandfather to Sky (Miranda Fryer). Harold invites Kerry to move in with him and Madge. Harold is initially against Kerry's relationship with Joe Mangel (Mark Little), but he sees how much Joe loves her and Sky and gives their relationship his blessing. Joe and Kerry marry and Joe's son, Toby (Finn Greentree Keane) calls Harold "grandad". Harold and Madge win the lottery and take a trip around the world, they meet Eddie Buckingham (Bob La Castra) in England and he comes home with them. Kerry is shot and killed by a duck hunter, which devastates Harold. He develops a stronger bond with Joe as a result. Harold has a heart attack when he discovers that Madge has invited Lou to stay. Harold and Madge decide to go on holiday. During a walk on a coastal path, Madge stops to talk to a painter and when she looks around, Harold is nowhere to be seen. Madge finds Harold's glasses at the edge of a cliff and his body is not found.

Five years later, it is revealed that Harold was swept out to sea and picked up by a trawler. He has amnesia and calls himself Ted. He works for the Salvation Army after they helped him start a new life. Harold turns up in Ramsay Street to collect some boxes from Marlene Kratz (Moya O'Sullivan). As Harold leaves, he bumps into Helen Daniels (Anne Haddy) who is shocked to see him. She tries to track him down and leaves her number for Harold at the Salvation Army shop. Harold calls Helen and comes to see her, but he becomes frustrated as he does not remember the things she tells him and leaves. Helen calls Madge, who had moved away, to tell her that Harold is alive and Madge flies to Erinsborough. Marlene invites Harold to join her for lunch at the Coffee Shop, where Helen, Lou and Madge are waiting. Harold recognises Madge, but he has no idea that she is his wife until she tells him everything. Harold starts counselling and his memory returns. Harold and Madge renew their wedding vows and they move to Queensland. Harold returns to Erinsborough to play the tuba in a Salvation Army concert and he rents his old house. He and Madge eventually move back and they buy the Coffee Shop. Harold befriends Paul McClain (Jansen Spencer) and he and Madge foster him. They later foster Paul's friend, Tad Reeves (Jonathon Dutton) too. Harold and Madge decide to take over the running of Grease Monkeys, but they later sell the business. Madge is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given six months to live, which devastates Harold. Madge develops septicaemia and Karl tells Harold that Madge only has a short time left. Madge dies in Harold's arms. Both Paul and Tad leave and Lou moves in. Rosie Hoyland (Maggie Millar) arrives and Harold and Lou become rivals for her love, but she tells Harold that she just wants to be friends. Harold then finds himself rejecting Valda Sheergold's (Joan Sydney) advances. Harold tries a dating agency and starts dating Ruby Dwyer (Maureen Edwards), though she is just using him for money. Harold donates a kidney to Lou and when he is released from hospital, he discovers that his house has been burgled. He discovers that it was Ruby, but he tries to help her gambling problem and she later leaves to see her son. Sky returns to see Harold and he is shocked to find that she is now a rebellious teenager with black and blue hair. Harold offers to tell her more about Kerry and he introduces her to Boyd Hoyland (Kyal Marsh). David, his wife, Liljana (Marcella Russo) and their daughter, Serena (Lara Sacher) also come to town. Harold is unhappy at David's behaviour, the way Liljana takes over his kitchen and how Serena is spoilt. Harold and David make up and Harold invites him to move in with him and Sky. Harold has a stroke and his personality changes. Harold becomes rude and selfish, he starts eating meat and drinking and he leaves the Salvation Army. Harold later recovers and goes back to normal. A fire sweeps through the Lassiter's Complex and burns the Coffee Shop to the ground. He sets up a temporary Coffee Shop at the Community Hall with Paul Robinson's (Stefan Dennis) help. Harold goes into business with Lou and they open the General Store. Joe returns and stays with Harold. Sky, David, Liljana and Serena are involved in a plane crash. Sky is found and days later David's body is recovered. Liljana and Serena are never found. Harold goes into denial and punches Joe, Sky tells him that she needs him and he snaps out of it. Harold blames Paul Robinson for David, Liljana and Serena's deaths and he strangles Paul from behind. Paul survives and Harold later confesses to Paul, who does not press charges. Harold leaves town for a little while and on his return, he discovers that Sky is pregnant. Harold has a brief romance with Loris Timmins (Kate Fitzpatrick) and Sky gives birth to a daughter, Kerry (Claudine Henningsen). Sky moves away to be with Kerry's father and Harold throws himself into work at the General Store. He later decides to pack up and travel around the country. Harold meets Kate Newton (Briony Behets) and they briefly stop over in Erinsborough, before leaving together. Harold returns for Christmas and goes for a checkup. He is shocked when Karl tells him that he has prostate cancer and needs urgent treatment. Harold does not take the news well, but Karl eventually convinces him to fight. Harold has an operation and begins chemotherapy after speaking to Stephanie Scully. Harold later has a heart attack and Karl ignores his wishes not to be resuscitated. Harold's cancer goes into remission and he decides to go and be with Sky. He gives his home to the Salvation Army and says goodbye to Susan Kennedy (Jackie Woodburne) when she sees him taking photos of Ramsay Street. The next day he says goodbye to everyone else and drives out of town. When he stops for tea, he discovers that Lou has been hiding in his camper van and they continue the journey together. Two years later, Harold returns to Ramsay Street after receiving a call for help from Toadie, who is dealing with the news that his girlfriend Sonya Mitchell (Eve Morey) is the mother of his adopted son, Callum (Morgan Baker). Harold advises Toadie to be more forgiving and speak with Sonya. Harold meets Troy Miller (Dieter Brummer), but fails to pass his number onto Toadie as he thinks he has enough to deal with. After taking some secret calls, Harold tells Toadie that he is engaged to Carolyn Johnstone, a businesswoman. Harold witnesses a kiss between Sonya and Troy. Carolyn arrives and she and Harold confront Troy together. She also suggests that she and Harold get married in Erinsborough. Lou returns to town and is reunited with Harold. Lou does not get along with Carolyn and thinks she is stuck up. After they argue about Harold's bucks night, Harold gets Lou and Carolyn to compromise on a joint party at Charlie's. Troy physically threatens Harold, who tells Toadie. On his wedding day, Harold visits Madge's grave to get her blessing. He and Carolyn then get married. Harold and Carolyn later return for their honeymoon and tell Lou that he has taken on too much at the car yard and that he needs to slow down. Lou does not listen to them and he later collapses. Harold tells Lou to start taking his health seriously and Lou announces his intentions to sell the car yard. Shortly before they leave, Callum asks Harold and Carolyn for their help in getting Sonya to move back in. Harold talks to Toadie, who thinks it might be too soon. After saying their goodbyes to Lou, Harold and Carolyn are informed that Toadie and Sonya are moving back in together. Toadie thanks Harold and he and Carolyn leave. Harold returns to Ramsay Street for Daniel Robinson's wedding and the Erinsborough Festival. Harold catches up with Toadie and Lou. He tells them Carolyn could not accompany him as she is working, but then changes the subject when she is brought up again. Harold later makes a phone call to Carolyn and tells her he will send on her things. Harold asks Toadie to help him change his will and after Toadie calls Carolyn, he learns that she and Harold have split up. Harold tells Toadie that he and Carolyn drifted apart after realising that they were not soulmates after all. Harold befriends Sheila Canning (Colette Mann), who flirts with him. Harold begins thinking about Madge and starts to hear her voice. He becomes distracted while driving and crashes through the Erinsborough Festival. When he wakes, he sees Madge sitting beside him. She appears to him again and they converse about all the events Madge has missed and Daniel's wedding. Madge disapproves of Daniel's fiancée and believes he is better suited to Imogen Willis (Ariel Kaplan). Harold then tells Daniel that marrying Amber would be a mistake and Daniel bans him from coming to the wedding. Madge encourages Harold to go on a date with Sheila and they bond over their families. But Harold later tells Madge that she is the only one for him. Harold tells Susan about Madge and she advises him to live in the present. Sky asks Harold to give up his nomadic lifestyle and move to Port Douglas to help out with her children. He agrees after Sky mentions Madge came to her in a dream, believing it to be a good idea. Harold takes a last look at Number 24 with Madge, who tells him she will not be coming with him. He leaves after saying goodbye to his friends.

Seven years later, Harold makes a surprise visit to the Kennedys, where he meets Mackenzie Hargreaves and expresses his sorrow for the loss of her husband, Hendrix Greyson (Ben Turland). Karl and Susan invite Harold to stay with them, before he visits the café and meets Jane Harris (Annie Jones) and her children Nicolette Stone (Charlotte Chimes) and Byron Stone (Joe Klocek). Harold visits Toadie's house and enters just as Zara Selwyn is questioning her mother Amy Greenwood about whether she has feelings for Toadie. Karl and Susan soon turn up and Toadie returns to announce that he and Melanie Pearson are engaged. Zara notices Harold does not look happy with the news and he admits that he has concerns. Zara is convinced that Toadie and Amy would make a better couple, and tells Harold that if he really cares about Toadie, he will help her break Toadie and Melanie up. Harold asks Amy's opinion of Melanie and her relationship with Toadie's children, but she assures him that Melanie is great with them. Harold admits to Mackenzie that in addition to seeing Karl, Susan and Toadie, he came to Erinsborough for her. He talks to her about keeping hold of the memories she has of Hendrix and tells her about the visions he had of Madge. He encourages her to talk to Hendrix and reckons he and Madge would get on well. Zara later tells Harold about Melanie's issues with Sonya's presence around the house and her initial rejection of Toadie's proposal. When Harold says that he will not act as a matchmaker for Amy and Toadie, Zara asks whether he can stand back and do nothing. Melanie asks Harold if he is avoiding her and then asks him to make a toast at her wedding, but he makes an excuse not to. He tells Melanie that he has his reservations about the wedding and is worried about Toadie's children, as she hurt his grandchildren deeply when she left Joe. Harold privately tells Melanie that he is worried that she will treat Toadie's children the same as Joe's children and Melanie spends the engagement party staying away from him, before she tells Toadie what he said. Harold is then kicked out of the party. Harold calls Joe and he admits that he stretched the truth at the time and that his kids missed Melanie once she left. Harold explains to Toadie and Melanie, and the three make up. Harold also admits that he knew that Amy liked Toadie once the truth about her crush is revealed. Harold is left devastated when the Ramsay Street history book is destroyed, but is surprised when Levi Canning (Richie Morris) and Freya Wozniak (Phoebe Roberts) offer him the first entry in the new history book they have made. Harold goes to Toadie and Melanie's wedding and their reception on Ramsay Street, where he sees Scott and Charlene have returned, and Harold parties with the street's residents. Two years later, Harold is once again visiting Ramsay Street for Toadie's wedding to Terese Willis (Rebekah Elmaloglou), and staying with Karl and Susan. He begins to experience lapses in memory and moments of confusion, leading Karl to fear he is suffering from dementia. However, it is eventually discovered that his symptoms are being caused by a change in his medication. Harold departs to take a rail trip with Karl. The following year, Terese establishes the Eirini Rising retirement complex in Erinsborough, and Harold decides to purchase a unit and return to the area.